Starmer to Pursue Chagos Islands Deal Despite Trump Calling It a 'Big Mistake'
Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones has confirmed that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the Chagos Islands deal, despite former US President Donald Trump's recent reversal of his previous support for the agreement. The proposed legislation, which would transfer sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius, is set to return to Parliament as soon as the parliamentary timetable allows, though recent reports hint at potential delays.
Trump's Changing Stance and Geopolitical Concerns
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, President Trump labeled the current agreement a "big mistake," citing concerns over the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. He described the lease-back arrangement as "tenuous" and "no good," warning that the base could be vital for a potential US strike on Iran and urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to relinquish Diego Garcia.
Ms Davies-Jones addressed Trump's fluctuating position, noting that during his first meeting with the Prime Minister, Trump had backed the deal, calling the lease "strong." She recalled that just two weeks prior, the president had again supported it as the "best deal available," with the US administration recently reaffirming its commitment. However, Trump's latest criticism follows a visit to Washington by former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a vocal opponent of the deal, who discussed the plans with members of the Trump administration.
Political Opposition and Delays
The Bill was originally slated for debate in the House of Lords but was withdrawn last month after a Conservative-led amendment called for a pause "in light of the changing geopolitical circumstances." Despite Ms Davies-Jones's assurances, Politico reported that the government might delay bringing the legislation back to the House of Lords, citing an unnamed senior official briefed on the plans. The Foreign Office, however, is understood not to recognize this reporting.
Opposition to the deal has been vocal, with Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage backing Trump's call to scrap it. Tory shadow Home Office minister Alicia Kearns argued that the agreement is unnecessary, claiming people have been "misled" over the reasoning behind it. She pointed out that the government had previously warned of only weeks to negotiate, but many months later, the basis for that urgency appears unfounded.
National Security and Financial Implications
Speaking on Times Radio, Ms Davies-Jones emphasized that the deal is "essential and crucial for the national security of the United Kingdom," which she stated is the first priority of any government. She reiterated that the Bill would be brought back as soon as parliamentary time permits, underscoring its importance for national security.
The government has highlighted that recent international court decisions threaten the future of the Diego Garcia base. Under the proposed deal, the UK would lease back the base from Mauritius, with an expected payment of around £35 billion over the next century, averaging £350 million per year.
Chagossian Perspectives and Calls for Cancellation
The exiled first minister of the Chagos Islands government has urged Sir Keir Starmer to pull the deal, arguing that transferring sovereignty to Mauritius would undermine the rights of Chagossians. Misley Mandarin, one of four Chagossians who recently returned to the islands on a small boat to reclaim their homeland, appealed to the Prime Minister in a BBC Radio 4 interview.
He said, "I'll say Keir Starmer, as my Prime Minister, you have to look at this treaty again. British Chagossian on this island, yesterday you sent patrol to give us removal notice, the island belong to us. Harold Wilson did that… removing the Chagossian from their homeland and that is a stain on British politics but now it's 2026, Keir Starmer, you could be a hero right now. Don't ratify that deal, cancel that deal and let Chagossians come back to their homeland as British."
As the debate continues, the government faces mounting pressure from both international allies and domestic opponents, while Chagossians advocate for their right to return, setting the stage for a contentious parliamentary showdown.
